Fulong Temple Introduction
The history of Fulong Temple in Kehul, Zhudong Township dates back to the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1834 AD) when Li Siyuan, the subprefect of Tamsui, was authorized to appoint Jiang Xiuluan from Guangdong for the development of the southeastern mountain area of Zhuqian. The government provided a subsidy of 1,000 taels of silver, and a Fujianese named Zhou Bangzheng also participated in the cultivation efforts. They gathered twenty-four shares of investment, leading to a joint cultivation with the government and public, referred to as "Jin Guangfu" and "Kenhao." The names represent the respective contributions of officials (Jin), Cantonese (Guang), and Fujianese (Fu) in the cultivation process. At that time, the Kehul area was surrounded by mountains, forming a central basin with dense forests. The indigenous people, who had the high ground, were difficult to attack, making it hard for cultivators to enter the area. Instead, they advanced from Triangle City through a small place called "Xiaxian Cai Xiaoweng," attacking the indigenous communities such as Shuqilin. That night, the indigenous people saw three kings descending from the sky, causing widespread panic, leading to their retreat without conflict. During this time, Han people entered Kehul and learned from legends that the Three Mountain Kings had manifested here, leading to the construction of a rudimentary temple, known as "Wangye Temple," to honor them. The land surrounding Zhou Garden was collectively decided by the Jiang and Zhou families and the cultivation shareholders to be designated for the "Wangye Temple," maintaining its use for incense offering and tea. In the Japanese colonial period, it was referred to as the public temple "Wangye Chuang." The Han people cultivated fertile rice fields in Kehul, benefiting from the surrounding mountains, ensuring no seasonal winds entered, along with clear streams that fostered prosperous farming yields. The population flourished, and livestock prospered, attributed to the blessings of the deities. From Zhuqian City to Shuqilin (modern-day Hsinchu to Zhudong), there were no constructed roads, but there was a cart path leading to Kehul. A transfer station was set up at the Wangye Temple square for supplies to be transported manually via the "Dai Ai," known today as Beipu and Emei. At that time, there were various shops thriving in Zhuqian. In June 1895, during the 21st year of Guangxu, Japanese troops entered Zhuqian City, and the residents of Kehul organized to resist the Japanese forces, establishing a defensive position on the seventh neighboring mountain known today as Aichatu. Across from the Wangye Temple, there was night watch protection called Gengliao Tu. The Japanese military, angered by the resistance from the Han, attacked Kehul, setting fire to the Wangye Temple and the surrounding village. After the war subsided, in May of the 23rd year of Guangxu (1897), the community advocated for fundraising to rebuild the Wangye Temple, constructing a central hall with five sections of earthen bricks and six horizontal buildings. On the 25th day of the first month in the 23rd year of the Republic (1934), the statue of the Three Mountain Kings was restored. In May of that year, the Three Mountain Kings manifested again to save the people in suffering, attracting thousands of worshippers daily seeking elixirs and blessings. After the restoration of Taiwan in 1945, the temple was renamed Fulong Temple. However, it suffered from weathering due to its earthen brick structure, leading to leaks and decay. In the 70th year of the Republic (1981), the community advocated for a major renovation, establishing the first management committee that revitalized the temple's affairs. On March 24, 1990 (the 79th year of the Republic), the temple group traveled to the mainland, visiting the Meizhou Mazu Temple, Nanshan Temple, and the ancestral temple of the Three Mountain Kings. They brought back a censer for the "Three Kings' Lady." On November 27 of that year, a five-day consecration ceremony was held to pray for favorable weather and national peace, marking a significant event.
